Rep member backs immunity for NASS leadership

Gbenga Bada 05:19 - 22 June 2016

The Nigerian Senate

He said that moves to amend the constitution to provide immunity for the leadership of the National Assembly would not exonerate them being tried at the end of their tenure in office.

The introduction of immunity for presiding officers of the National Assembly is to avoid unnecessary distractions in the discharge of their duties, Rep. Leo Ogor, Minority Leader, House of Representatives, has said.

Ogor (PDP-Delta) made the remark on Tuesday in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

``It is just to avoid unnecessary distractions so that they can carry out that constitutional responsibility.

``After their tenure like any president or governor, if you want to try them, you are as free as air but that period of time he is serving, he should be exonerated.

``Imagine a situation where the Senate President and the Deputy Senate President are in court; indirectly the senate will not sit and there could be a fundamental issue that needs to be addressed.

``So I see the amendment scaling through no matter whatever negative position anybody may take,’’ Ogor said.

``If the number three in the country does not enjoy immunity, why should a deputy governor that is not known in the hierarchy enjoy immunity?’’ Ogor asked.

He questioned why a deputy governor should enjoy immunity when the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives do not enjoy immunity.